front springs
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: zanesville ohio
front springs
Do you need a spring compressor to reinstall the front springs? I didnt use one to take them out but now that they are repainted i didnt want to scratch them all up with a compressor. Also as far as seating the springs do you just make sure the upper is over the cup and centered in the frame hole?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
The upper end must sit correctly in the pocket, you can see/feel the 'groove' that the end of the spring is supposed to sit in. The bottom end of the spring may not sit perfectly, but that's ok... the top is more important.
What springs do you have ? For the 460 and 550 lbs springs you don't need a compressor (at least I did not when I installed them) - for the original spring you will definately need one, this spring is very long...
What springs do you have ? For the 460 and 550 lbs springs you don't need a compressor (at least I did not when I installed them) - for the original spring you will definately need one, this spring is very long...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: zanesville ohio
redbad; dont know if they are original springs or not,just went out and measured and they are 15 1/2 long. Do you have any idea how long the 460s are and if they are stock what would i notice switching to 460s?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I just measured my 460s. They are 13 1/2 inches. They are sitting in my basement. You might have the originals which are around 300 lb springs. These to me are way to soft. With the 460s the ride will be a little firmer and your handling will improve. I currently have 550s in mine. These are quite hard. I have not used a spring compresser in the last 4 or 5 times I have removed the coils. Here is a set of 460s and 550s next to each other.
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Last edited by Gordonm; Jan 16, 2005 at 11:19 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
I just replied to another spring thread today:
"Do a search on these springs, many members complaint (including myself) that the 460lbs springs make the front sit too high ... many say that the 550lbs springs, which let the sit at 'correct' height, are too harsh, many disagree...
I have photos in my gallery showing the 460 springs installed, before and after I cut 1/2 coil off..."
If you think the 550s are too harsh for you, then get the 460s but be aware that you may need to cut 1/2 coil off... leave all the bolts relatively loose and don't install the cotter pins - this way you can check the heigth first.. you can get the springs out again without having too much pain....
"Do a search on these springs, many members complaint (including myself) that the 460lbs springs make the front sit too high ... many say that the 550lbs springs, which let the sit at 'correct' height, are too harsh, many disagree...
I have photos in my gallery showing the 460 springs installed, before and after I cut 1/2 coil off..."
If you think the 550s are too harsh for you, then get the 460s but be aware that you may need to cut 1/2 coil off... leave all the bolts relatively loose and don't install the cotter pins - this way you can check the heigth first.. you can get the springs out again without having too much pain....
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
To me a combination of 17 or 18 inch rims and 460 or 550 springs would make the ride too stiff. I installed a set of 460 and test drove about 10 miles then pulled them back out.
I am not a fan of stiff supsension. We have a suspension to absorb road bumps and then we go and make it so stiff that the tire skips over the bumps.
Work out the other problems and keep the softer springs.
Springs should be as soft as possible, just prevent bottoming over the worst case driving but at the same time free to give over the softer bumps.
The once a year bottom doesn't count. The day to day driving under the normal use of the car does.
Soft springs don't loose contact with the road. Tune with sway bars and get rid of bump and soft spring work fine.
I loved my 280 pound springs.
I am not a fan of stiff supsension. We have a suspension to absorb road bumps and then we go and make it so stiff that the tire skips over the bumps.
Work out the other problems and keep the softer springs.
Springs should be as soft as possible, just prevent bottoming over the worst case driving but at the same time free to give over the softer bumps.
The once a year bottom doesn't count. The day to day driving under the normal use of the car does.
Soft springs don't loose contact with the road. Tune with sway bars and get rid of bump and soft spring work fine.
I loved my 280 pound springs.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: zanesville ohio
Ok im confused now, i pulled my old springs because one was not seated in the pocket and floor to top of fender lip was 29". If i buy new 460s i sure dont want to have to put them in only to find it still sits to high. Not that much fun taking them in an out. Would like it to be in the 27 1/2" to 28" range. Would just one coil not seated right make it sit 1 to 1 1/2" high? If so i may just put my stock springs back in.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
To me a combination of 17 or 18 inch rims and 460 or 550 springs would make the ride too stiff. I installed a set of 460 and test drove about 10 miles then pulled them back out.
I am not a fan of stiff supsension. We have a suspension to absorb road bumps and then we go and make it so stiff that the tire skips over the bumps.
Work out the other problems and keep the softer springs.
Springs should be as soft as possible, just prevent bottoming over the worst case driving but at the same time free to give over the softer bumps.
The once a year bottom doesn't count. The day to day driving under the normal use of the car does.
Soft springs don't loose contact with the road. Tune with sway bars and get rid of bump and soft spring work fine.
I loved my 280 pound springs.
I am not a fan of stiff supsension. We have a suspension to absorb road bumps and then we go and make it so stiff that the tire skips over the bumps.
Work out the other problems and keep the softer springs.
Springs should be as soft as possible, just prevent bottoming over the worst case driving but at the same time free to give over the softer bumps.
The once a year bottom doesn't count. The day to day driving under the normal use of the car does.
Soft springs don't loose contact with the road. Tune with sway bars and get rid of bump and soft spring work fine.
I loved my 280 pound springs.
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
J.Peter
I made a spring compressor out of a 5/8 inch dia fine threaded rod. I use a needle thrust bearing on the bottom end. This rod goes inplace of the shock absorber and it will not scratch anything as it compresses the whole deal. It is also very safe as compared to holding the whole deal with a jack which is on rollers.
Contact me off line if you want photos.
Contact me off line if you want photos.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by J.Peter
I made a spring compressor out of a 5/8 inch dia fine threaded rod. I use a needle thrust bearing on the bottom end. This rod goes inplace of the shock absorber and it will not scratch anything as it compresses the whole deal. It is also very safe as compared to holding the whole deal with a jack which is on rollers.
Contact me off line if you want photos.
Contact me off line if you want photos.